AneStory

Dreams are easy to see, the real incarnation of our deepest desires in front of our eyes, albeit subconscious. For us to keep going sometimes, some kind of screening is necessary to keep us sane, and civilize our desires, for this very reasons most people do not remember their dreams when they wake up. Hera was no exception, he barely remembered anything about his dreams, and this day was no exception.

Hera, after the exhausting conversation with Sam and weeklong sleep deprivation, was tired and sleep was deep, comfortable solace, coming out of those 7 nights and 6 days. Sandy & Deep saw Hera sleep and wanted to wake him up, it seemed Monc's sleep was becoming shallow and he might wake up any time. However, they changed their mind, after what they saw.

Hera's expression were changing quickly, from nothing to anxious, contempt, contentment, anxious,  relief, happiness, romantic, surprise, intimacy, ecstasy, satisfaction...........in a sequence, that was not changing much. Hera was watching same dream again and again, and enjoying each time.

Triiiiinnnnnnnng...........There went the alarm, waking Hera up under watchful eyes of Sandy and Deep, bent over closely looking at his face, Hera shrieked and moved back.

Sandy: "You were dreaming!"

Deep: "What were you dreaming? Tell us!"

Hera: "What!" Thinking, what weirdos!

Sandy: "You had an animated face! Quick changing expressions!"

Hera: "Hmmmm...May be about Monsoon, I am going to meet her today!"

Sandy & Deep had the weirdest grin on their face and Hera a bewildered face.

Hera got on with the day and first thing out of room, filled up the tank, and went to flower vendor, going through all the flowers Hera decided to make a bouquet of his own choice. He chose all colors, all flowers available made it into it. Red rose in center, a ring of leaves, a ring of other color roses, a ring of paper flowers, a ring of Jarbera's, and the purple orchid, and........It was big, to be carried on bike, but he did.

Outside Monsoon's hostel, Hera stood, embarrassed, and of being too obvious for passerby's to notice of him being in love, and everyone knew who he was in love with. And there, one of the passerbies was hostel warden of Monsoon, who did not waste any time, and shouted at her as she came out.

And tears were galore! Hera had nowhere to hide. Monsoon blamed him for all of it, and she was not wrong, if Hera had remained in STD after calling her, warden would have never seen Hera, and shouted at Monsoon.  This is not what Hera had dreamed about, and feared she would cancel the date.

No, she did not cancel it; instead she asked to be taken to some place, quickly. And Hera without thinking took her to the hill top near college, she liked it, she calmed down, and for first time took a look at the bouquet, which Hera asked her again to take from him.

She declined!

Hera: "Why? Is it not international flowers day?"

Monsoon: "Not that!"

Hera: "Then?"

Monsoon: "It is beautiful, with that red rose in middle I cannot take it."

Hera: "Hmmmm...So it is not red rose flower's day!" Disappointed, he looked at her once and then removed it and kept it close to his heart. And then Monsoon accepted it.

Monsoon: "So! This was your plan for the Valentine?"

Hera: Thought for a moment and then decided to tell her the truth."No! I had lot more planned for that day!"

Monsoon: "Oh! Really! Do not bluff!"

Hera: "No, no bluffing, I was planning to give you a ring, and may be you would have never spoken with me again, live alone coming with me here."

Monsoon: "Well put, I am glad you did not do that." Hera missed it, but there was anger in her voice with disappointment.

Hera wanted to say many things but he kept everything to himself.

Monsoon: "What do you find wrong in our relation, what is it you want it from it?"

Hera: "Now, you are just a friend who happens to be girl, on other hand, if you were girlfriend of mine, I would have certain say in your matters, and you in mine, we would be a couple."

Monsoon: "What?"

Hera: "In simple words, you would not flinch at taking my hand for help, even when you do not need it, and I would not be embarrassed to hold your hand to help you, even when you do not need it."

Monsoon: "So, you want to hold my hand, only?" Teasing him.

Hera: "Yes!" In matter of fact way.

Monsoon: "You are so........" Thinking innocent!

Hera: "What?"

Monsoon: "Nothing!" Giggling!

After that they went on a long drive, all around the city, made plans of visiting her hometown. No! Hera was not going to visit her home, but his uncle lived there too, wanted to visit him, so asked Monsoon to go together, and she agreed. And then it was time to go home again, for Monsoon had some assignments and so did Hera.

As Hera was stopping the bike near Monsoon's hostel, a black pulsar passed them, and Monsoon looked disturbed, surprised, and asked Hera to follow it, but it was gone.

Hera: "Who was it?"

Monsoon: "No one." A little too sharp than what she would have liked.

Hera: "Okay!'

And then Monsoon saw someone again!

Monsoon: "Is that Monc?"

Hera looked in the direction she was suggesting.

Monsoon: "And that is Sam?"

Hera: "It looks like that, but how come." Even though he could see them, Hera called up Monc on mobile and it was him.

Monc: "Hello!"

Hera: "So, you are finally up! How does it feel like to sleep for a week?"

Monc: "My head is still spinning, but good news is Sam accepted my proposal!"

Hera: Surprised! "WoW! Congratulations! Tell her too!"

Hera instantly told Monsoon, who looked little, lost, but said was happy for Monc and she went to room, Hera went to his room and unlike Monsoon, who did her assignment, and he slept to dream of her, again.

Hera just decided to freshen up, keep it simple, enter from back side of college, pick her up and go, and interrogate her along while still driving. Nice, simple and short plan, which was planned in a very short sighted way.

Hera took the back gate road, and last night's unexpected rain had made it extremely muddy. Hera nearly, slipped twice and already had mud on soles of his shoes; he vowed not to go back by this road. And right behind the gate, there was Sam waiting, and right in front of gate, the road was dug up. It was not possible for her to cross over. So it was turning back time for Hera, and Sam walked towards front gate.

Hera, turns around, and falls. No other option now, next step was to go to Smoky's place, get cleaned up, answer a lot of questions, get late and then join Sam, who hated to wait for anyone.

As soon as Hera came, Sam blasted him for being late, Hera had lost the authoritative position to question her, and slipped into yes Ma'am mode, and there she was, the Ma'am who was going to announce test result walked by! 

Hera: "Shits!"  

Sam: "What!"

Hera: "Not to you, have a seat, and lets go from here." On second thought, she looks nervous, thought Hera, and look like a nervous wreck looking into bike mirror.

Sam sat quietly, for a change, but it was not good, for this once, Hera wanted her to answer his questions. And she wanted to be in control.

Sam: "I cannot discuss this with your back to me, stop bike somewhere and we will talk." Ultimatum was served.

Hera had to take that, and he decided to go to one place where they can walk and talk but still not be seen by any of the college people, one place where he had planned to go out with Monsoon, tomorrow. They were there.

Hera parked the bike, and suddenly Sam was cheerful, it must be the place, hill top, forest like cover, a view of college, so close but so far away, nice cool wind and flowers everywhere. And they just hit a trail. After walking for about 5 minutes, Hera could not just waste any more time.

Hera: "See Sam; please tell me, what went wrong between you and Monk?"

Sam: "He proposed me!"

Hera: "So?"

Sam: "Is that not enough?"

Hera: Rolling his eyes! "I mean what did you say to him, in reply?"

Sam: "Said No!" Rather innocently. 

Hera: "Just that? You did not give him any reason?"

Sam: "So what's going on between you and Monsoon?"

Hera could not believe his ears, what she had asked? But he did not want her to have a win in this talk, fast turning into a verbal duel.

Hera: "There is nothing going on between us, yes I do love her, but she does not, and she is mature enough to be friends with me and tell me to my face that she does not love me back."

Sam: "Why not? You are good!"

Hera: "You do not know me, however, that is a personal question, and still, we are still trying to know each other better."

Sam: "Oh!"

Hera: "So what did you tell Monk?"

Sam: "I did not give a reason, I could not think of one, but now I do not want to meet him ever again."

Hera: "Why would you do so? That has sent him in depression, suicidal; he has been sleeping since that day."

Sam was visibly shocked. Looking at her, Hera felt something was wrong here and he did it.

Hera: "What's your age?" Hera broke one of the taboos! 

Sam: "I am 16!"

Hera was 5 years older and Monc; 4 and half years older. And Hera knew she was just a kid, she bailed out from being serious with an older guy!

Hera: "Let's go!"

And they started walking, and as they neared bike, Sam started slowing down and in matter of moments she was all tears. people around them started suspecting foul play, and Hera as culprit. Two strong mighty guys stopped near them and threatened Hera as she stepped in saying

Sam: "Oh! Get lost you bozzos, I am not crying because of him. I am crying because....because...oh! You get lost!"

Hera was dumb struck! Hope she is not falling in love with me, the messenger, I hate her, she is just not someone I could walk with.

Sam: "I love him! I love Monc!"

Hera: Heavy Sigh!

Sam: "I love him, but I should not, my sister also fell in love but Dad did not allow her to chose, and it will be same story at my wedding. I do not want to lose him then! It would be like living with someone else for rest of my life."

Hera: "You could have said no to Love, and yes to friendship, you could have just said yes and take a chance with your future."

Sam: "Is he okay?"

Hera: "Yes!"

Hera dropped her home, and came to Monc's side and wondered whether Monsoon would ever choose him? And on that note he fell asleep.

With Friday morning came morning chores, which one has to do to start a day in right way. And Hera had this amazing understanding with life, so a visit to college like all unpleasant tasks; was part of morning chores, and he had to go. On other hand it was Sandy's turn to appear for a test. Hence, Monc was left in capable hands of Deep, which worried both Hera and Sandy. 

However, there was something more important, more significant agenda on his mind, and so he took of earlier than normal, and went straight to wait for Monsoon to show up, in her path to college, rather in a heroic style. He parked his bike, in people's path, on main stand, then lay on it, back to seat, and covered his eyes with cap, except one difference, he looked in direction of path from which Monsoon would be coming; through corner of his eye. 

Hera was feeling cool in that pose, the classic Hero pose as he called it, and then he saw her coming. Monsoon looked at him once and, the look she gave only meant, "I never knew this guy, and please god do not make him call my name." And he does what she fears most at that moment 

Hera: "Monsoon!" 

As two Girls on other side say

Girls: "What a dumbo! I am happy we do not have a boyfriend like that."

Monsoon: "Don't you have to go to college?"

Hera: "Yes, I have to, but I want to tell you something before I go."

Monsoon: "What is it? And why is it so important?"

Hera: "Well, I told you about Monc and Sam."

Monsoon: "Yes, we better get on your bike, you can tell me while you drive."

Hera: "Okay!" and they started for college.

Monsoon: "So, yes, you told me about them, now what?"

Hera: "Something's wrong there, in that rejection. Everyone who I have had a chance meeting has said Sam looks so much in love with Monc, and not other way round."

Monsoon: "Actually, when I heard from you, I was surprised that Monc proposed and she refused, I had imagined a reverse scenario."

Hera: "What! Even though; I told you about them?"

Monsoon: "Let it be, I would talk about that latter, now tell me why you have come in morning."

Hera: "Well, because what most people said, and what I have heard, I want to ask Sam for an explanation."

Monsoon: "And how are you planning to do it?"

Hera: "By meeting her face to face, and asking straight, but not here anywhere near college."

Monsoon: "For once, you are doing a good job, so why did you feel like telling me all this."

Hera: "Even though I thought of all this, I was not sure whether what I have planned is right, and second and more important part, I do not want you to think I am trying to date her, as most idiots are going to say, after they see us go on my bike."

Monsoon: "You have my permission" little disappointed "So you will be going with Sam on Sunday?"

Hera: "No, tomorrow, not for more than an hour, I am hoping we could go somewhere on Sunday? Could we?"

Monsoon: "We will see about it tomorrow then, if no assignment comes my way, we could go." Thinking how hard should i play to get.

Hera: "Done then!" Thinking that is an improvement.

And they had come to the place where she had to get down, and he had to park, but they were little early. 

Monsoon: "Okay I will go now."

Hera: "Why? There is still some time; we can talk for some time."

Monsoon: "We could have, but you see, you have forgotten your bag, so go and get it, you live near so, you will be back in time for 1st lecture, and I will go, I have to walk little longer to my college, compared to you."

Hera: "Oh! Yeah! Okay!" And he smiled and looked on as she started walking away, and looked on till she turned around and made hand movements to go and get his bag. And he went. 

The rest of the day passed uneventful, and Hera was back to Monc's side by night. He confirmed meeting with Sam, and it was going to be Saturday Morning. Hera was thinking of some way of making Monc eat something today, he had already started with juice, so some solid was not going to be that difficult, may be some Dal-Rice or Khichedi. 

However, Monc had something else in mind, he woke up, rather semi conscious, got up and 

Monc: "Hera I want to eat Chinese, I was not able to eat properly with Sam today at dinner, let's go out and have something."

Hera tried explaining, that it was nearly 120 hours since that day, but he did not get through to Monc. Sandy and Deep had some work so they had already gone out. So it was either leaving Monc alone or taking him along, so it was walking to nearest Chinese cart. Logical decision, but did not work. On reaching ground floor, after making numerous sleep breaks, Monc adamantly did not want to walk and was ready to drive bike. 

Hera: "Monc your bike is not here, Sandy has taken it, you gave him."

Monc: "So I will drive yours!"

Hera: "Mine is not here too, Deep has taken it."

Monc: "I dont want to walk!"

Hera: "I have Sandy's Scooty!"

Monc: "Okay!"

And Hera got Monc to sit on his bike, and drove to nearest restaurant, while Monc thought, he was seating on a Scooty. Somehow Monc managed to hold on, while sleeping too!

On reaching hotel, Monc ordered some non-veg and some cigarettes, lite 1 and did not smoke any. Next time he opened his eyes, he had Manchurian in front of him, he had some and then he unhad them. He ate something, and he threw up within minutes, on other side of table Hera had same food and no trouble enjoying delicacy. 

Monc: "You have developed a good taste for junk."

Hera did not say anything, and they paid for the bill and went home. Monc slept again. And with in 5 hrs it was Saturday, and now Hera was sleep deprived, but no time for closing eyes just now, meeting was minutes away, Sam was waiting. And after having those words with Monsoon, Hera was ready for it.

Hera just about made it to class to give that test, and as was expected it did not go so well, on other hand Monc too had an assignment to submit and in his current state, that was not going to be possible in person, however he had completed it before hand with due help from his senior & roommate Sandy. And though Hera had left Sandy in-charge, Sandy decided to come to college attain few lectures and submit that assignment for Monc, as far as he was concerned, it was a masterpiece! 

All Hera thought of those internal tests importance was to make not so important teachers to feel important and give a chance for teacher's pet species to thrive in college life. How else one could explain the phenomenon where two student getting same marks in theory and one becoming university topper while other not even getting a first class. Distasteful it was, and like that thought, were Hera's answer for those tests.

While Monc slept, Deep was left in-charge of the situation, the last person on earth who should have been in-charge, but then he was the last free person available. And Sandy while at college contemplated on hand delivering the project, but once he learned whom it was to be delivered too, he changed his mind, and started looking for a suitable person to hand over the file. At that very moment Sandy witnessed something very important, and never realized its importance. He saw Duds, Vee and Pee argue over something, which certainly saddened the Pee and as the teacher whom Sandy was avoiding to see made an appearance, he hid.

Next, Duds, Vee and teacher were inside the class, and Pee was making her way in, she was the best person whom Monc would trust among his class mate, and so Sandy decided to give it to her and 

               Sandy: "Please, give this to ma'am from behalf of Monc, and tell her, Hera passed it on."

               Pee: "Why me? And why use Hera's name and not yours?"

           Sandy: "Because Monc trusts you most among his classmates, and that madam hates me the most, besides Monc's assignment is too good to be submitted late, as you know someone's health conditions to get  any consideration in this college."

                Pee: "Ok! I will give it to Ma'am" 

                Sandy: "Thanks' a lot; I will now run to my class."

And before Pee could ask anything else, Sandy was gone.                 

Once in class, Pee did not knew what was in store for her, as she got up to submit her assignment, she also submitted Monc's assignment to Ma'am, and there began her interrogation

                Ma'am: "Where is Monc?"

                Pee: "I do not know Ma'am, Hera asked me to submit this to you."  

                Ma'am: "Why cannot Monc be here in person?"

           Pee: "By what Hera was saying, all I could make out is, Monc is terribly ill, and it is difficult to understand what Hera says." 

One thing everyone knew, any sane faculty would not like to ask questions to Hera, for they were certain to get crazy answers, hence a total time waste at that, plus in this case he did not even belong to this department, so how can she get this verified.

                Ma'am: "Duds, you know Hera, right, so you must know why Monc is not here."

Before Duds could speak anything and ruin any chance of Monc's assignment being accepted, Pee butt in.

              Pee: "Actually, he was here to give it to Duds but she was already inside class, so he handed it to me."   

               Duds: "That is quite possible Madam; we have not seen each other and Monc since Sunday! Hera had some tests today."

Teacher wondered to herself, why Monc had to be friend with that guy! He is such an idiot! And Pee thinking, it might have been better if I had taken Sandy's name instead. 

That evening, Hera and Sandy reached room to find the main door open and both Deep and Monc missing, they looked here and there and then Deep came in.

                 Sandy: "Where is Monc?"  

                 Deep: "Oh! He is in bathroom!"

                 Hera: "What! Are you crazy! He is alone in there!"

                Deep: "Relax guys, he is sleeping, puking in bathroom, I moved his bed in there so that I could go down and get something to eat, and now we can move him out again."

He was okay! Monc had slept through that time; he had been doing nothing else, almost nothing else. After moving him out again

                 Sandy: "That was wrong on my part to leave Deep in-charge."

                 Hera: "Where is his phone?"

                 Deep: "Here it is." handing over the handset.

Hera took the phone, searched one particular number and called Sam up, and it was decided they would meet on Saturday. After that Hera spent time speaking with Monsoon, sitting next to Monc. And with that Thursday had come to an end, and it was Friday morning, 108 hours of turmoil, or 108 hours of sound sleep for Monc!